Woodturning Schools and Classes

[Steve Tiedman]

For those that rely on Youtube for turning instruction, there's a lot of bad videos mixed in with the good. (some are dangerous) I've compiled a list of the preferred instructors. This was all just info taken from another thread on here. I collected the names, then looked up their links.

Nice job with the list, Darryl. Thanks.

 

[Darryl Fective]

Nice job with the list, Darryl. Thanks.

We've had some new turners join our club and I wanted to direct them to the better video instruction. I think it was mentioned at a board meeting, but sifting thru all the crap seemed like a daunting task. I saw a thread on here with people listing their favorite content creators, so I just collected the names and links. It seemed too good to just keep for our club, so share it far and wide.

 

[Dave Landers]

There are things you can learn from an in-person demo that you just can't get online. Like, where does the demonstrator place her feet? Or, What is he doing with his right (invisible) hand? Or that they reposition they tool rest, sometimes by millimeters, all the time--way more often than we amateurs ever do. It's hard to describe, but once you're past the beginner stage of learning, there are many, many subtle things you notice in-person.

Odie and Tim, if you go watch someone else turn in person, you'd undoubtedly be thinking to yourself, "Well, I can do that better with my grind", or "You've got way too much vibration". Much of what an advanced turner would see would not be new and useful, but there are always little nuggets in every demo. A new way of taking off the nub on the bottom of the bowl, how to use a bottom of the bowl gouge for something entirely different, or maybe Odie, you'd have seen an angled headstock for the first time 20 years ago and thought "Shazaam! That's what I need."

So often, I've gone to a demo thinking "meh I will never want to do that sort of thing". But often I learn something. And, in these cases, it's often not something the demonstrator was intending to show. Something peripheral to the demo that just rings a bell when it folds into something else I'm working on.
Online demos are valuable, especially if you want to learn or observe a particular skill or project steps etc. But they have less of the "peripheral content" because the demonstrator usually has edited their video to make a specific point.

 

[Joel Daniels]

I cannot recommend highly enough Glenn Lucas's Woodturning Study Centre in Ireland, both for the superb instructional experience and the opportunity to the travel in Ireland. Expensive on all fronts, but very much worth it if it fits in your budget.

... (just signed up for bowl turning with Glenn Lucas in Ireland) ...

I've been watching Glenn Lucas's videos and am intrigued with operations and his week-long course. I know there are lots of options available in the US that would be significantly less expensive, and just as good, but I've been all over Europe (Dad in the military - I graduated from high school in Munich) but never to Ireland. His operations look amazing. And the wife said I should take his class! Doesn't get any better than that!

So...for those that have attended his week-long class, please elaborate. What did you cover? What was your experience going in? How was the interactions? What about outside the class - opportunities for the wife to do things? Did you stay longer to do some touring? Thanks in advance for any inputs. Last I looked, they were booked thru 2026 and out into 2027 - so it will be awhile before I have the opportunity to go. Also - need to get to retirement to have the time (less than 2 years away now!! )

 

[Dean Center]

So often, I've gone to a demo thinking "meh I will never want to do that sort of thing". But often I learn something. And, in these cases, it's often not something the demonstrator was intending to show. Something peripheral to the demo that just rings a bell when it folds into something else I'm working on.
Online demos are valuable, especially if you want to learn or observe a particular skill or project steps etc. But they have less of the "peripheral content" because the demonstrator usually has edited their video to make a specific point.

Exactly.

I can't count the number of times I've looked at the demonstration schedule for a symposium and not found a particular topic or demonstrator appealing, but then as the rotations unfold and I have a blank period, I drop in and it turns out to be the most helpful demo of the symposium.

 

[R Henrickson]

So often, I've gone to a demo thinking "meh I will never want to do that sort of thing". But often I learn something. And, in these cases, it's often not something the demonstrator was intending to show. Something peripheral to the demo that just rings a bell when it folds into something else I'm working on.

Indeed! I attend demos on things I know I will never do, because there almost always is a little something which works for me.

 

[Odie]

Odie and Tim, if you go watch someone else turn in person, you'd undoubtedly be thinking to yourself, "Well, I can do that better with my grind", or "You've got way too much vibration". Much of what an advanced turner would see

Why would I bother, if I'm satisfied with my own methods and results? That seems to be a question that only a very few others will understand.

My attitude is the same as some very superb ancient craftsmen who didn't care how others do what they do. Like they, all I'm interested in is to find my own methods, and to achieve my own goals in my own ways of doing things. Input from other turners will likely alter my course, and I don't want to do that.

My philosophical views are simple to understand, if you first take the time to understand why I have them....

=o=

 

[Dean Center]

I do understand. For a moment, though, I forgot that everyone else doesn't share in the desire to improve, grow, and learn, that some people abhor change. I learned that years ago from one of our employees who we treasured for her steadiness, but it slipped my mind. Sorry to intrude.

 

[Mithra Neuman]

Why would I bother, if I'm satisfied with my own methods and results? That seems to be a question that only a very few others will understand.

My attitude is the same as some very superb ancient craftsmen who didn't care how others do what they do. Like they, all I'm interested in is to find my own methods, and to achieve my own goals in my own ways of doing things. Input from other turners will likely alter my course, and I don't want to do that.

My philosophical views are simple to understand, if you first take the time to understand why I have them....

=o=

There is always something to be gained even from beginners, things always evolve!

 

[Earl McLain]

If we didn't have different strokes for different folks, the cereal aisle would only have Shredded Wheat and Kellog's Corn Flakes. And Cap'n Crunch wouldn't have a job!!

 

[Sam Force]

I would be fine with just shredded wheat, top it off with fresh peaches or blackberries!!

 

[Mithra Neuman]

Where's your protein?

 

[Odie]

There is always something to be gained even from beginners, things always evolve!

Yes, and that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

=o=

 

[Bill Blasic]

Choices, choices, choices! Life is full of them. So Odie is happy where he is at, he has reached for himself his plateau. Most of us never reach that level as we're always looking for more. For me I'll never get where Odie is as I'll always want more as there is always something new to explore and try. For over 20 years my life revolved around one thing and that was Woodturning. I've had at least 15 of the best woodturners here in my home teaching and except one they have all been great folks. That one person came to my door and the first thing he said to me was "Don't expect me to give you anything, if you want something for free get Mike Mahoney." To this day I am so disgusted with myself for not grabbing him by the nape of the neck and the seat of his pants and throw him out the door. And for 3 days it didn't get any better. Also this guy was no where near the best 1000 woodturners! Like I've stated here in the past all the pros I've had the pleasure of learning from I have in my woodturning something from all of them. And to get back to where this started "Odie I'm happy for you, keep yourself where you need and want to be!"

 

[hockenbery]

So often, I've gone to a demo thinking "meh I will never want to do that sort of thing". But often I learn something. And, in these cases, it's often not something the demonstrator was intending to show. Something peripheral to the demo that just rings a bell when it folds into something else I'm working on.

I find those demos worthwhile too. Just getting exposed to others perspectives. Often there is a nugget or two to pack away for future use.
When asked for advice on demos to see at symposiums I suggest that folks plan to see one that features an object they have no interest in making

 

[hockenbery]

I do understand. For a moment, though, I forgot that everyone else doesn't share in the desire to improve, grow, and learn, that some people abhor change. I learned that years ago from one of our employees who we treasured for her steadiness, but it slipped my mind. Sorry to intrude.

I see a lot of turners in clubs who are quite satisfied being at the beginner level skill wise their whole turning life. The have no interest in classes, tool techniques, form, surface, or invention.

I’ve learned a lot from classes. I never felt constrained by the knowledge I gained but more the opposite with new directions..

 

[R Henrickson]

I’ve learned a lot from classes. I never felt constrained by the knowledge I gained but more the opposite with new directions..

The two classes I've taken with Derek Weidman are likely the most important to much of my turning -- certainly multiaxis. Yet I've never turned a single animal head outside those classes, or anything even somewhat similar. Indeed almost all my multiaxis work is geometric or abstract. His guidance on how to set up multiaxis cuts, especially with odd offsets, has been crucial. That knowledge enabled me to pursue my interests.

 

[hockenbery]

His guidance on how to set up multiaxis cuts, especially with odd offsets, has been crucial. That knowledge enabled me to pursue my interests.

It’s a great example of taking a technique home from a class versus a trophy.

It’s also shows taking a Great Leap Forward as a maker.

A few would argue(not me) that you missed out on the journey of taking 5 years to figure it out on your own

Derek is a national treasure,